I’ve been to the museum probably a half dozen times since I discovered it two or three years ago. Each time I come back there’s something new on display. Highly recommended.
I understand why they do it, but I think front panel computing is something that will be lost without letting a new generation experience it. Its a much more direct way to experience the machine.
Other than that complaint it truly is a great museum. They even have a Xerox Alto you can play with.
It sounds like you have some expertise in front panel operations? If you have the time and inclination, maybe you could offer to help them out. At the very least, an email explaining your thoughts might inspire one of their engineers to create something.
I just find it weird that they don't let you touch the one thing that can't be emulated well, given the mission of the museum.
Nice place to stock up on model M’s, at least. I miss those times. I once found an old Sun desk side computer for sale at a similar store in Bellevue. Radiation hardened with a SCSI drive that was even bigger (desk side units are about the size of a filing cabinet).